I dont know if anyone has started to notice the plethara of adjectives that seem to get thrown in to play in the media, on ITT, the forums, when describing Natalie Cassidy on Strictly. I keep seeing the words - brave, courageous, balls (as in she has them!).

I'm not entirely sure why she keeps getting called these as opposed to anyone else - unless of course its all a slightly veiled insult.

I actually think, she's doing a great job flying the flag for curvy girls, Im not sure Vincent was the right partner for her physically but the personalities are great together and she certainly seems to be enjoying herself.

I agree. I find it a bit patronising everytime a judge says "You gave it your all!", "You really threw yourself into it!" "You really enjoyed that didn't you?" and then follow it up with "It might not have been great technically but..."

I wish they would just treat her like everyone else and properly point out where she goes wrong. I really like her attitude but she does need to improve the steps. They seem to be marking her on effort rather than the actualy steps she produces.

I want to see her improve and enjoy herself at the same time. She could go far!

Natalie's really not that curvy, she's got a bit of weight on her, but I don't think she is in and out at the waist like I'd expect from someone curvy. I'd say someone like Ola is doing more to fly the flag for curvy women.

They did.

Bruno and Len both mentioned that her hip action isn't quite right because her upper and lower body don't quite work together.

I think the judges just appreciate the energy she brings to the dance floor. The performance element of dancing is just as important as technique, as Tom Chambers demonstrated last year

Well, that's true but only last week. I still think they patronise her and make her think she's improving (which she might be, it's hard to tell.) I just hope she keeps really working hard. I'm starting to really like her!

Aaand, I don't think you can really compare Nat & Tom. Tom was always a very good dancer. He got by on both talent and performance.

She has done really well so far but to get further in the comp. once the no hopers have left she does need to improve technically. She hopefully has a few weeks to do that in and I'd like to see her emphasise that in the training room now and show technical focus.

I am also liking her more and more. She seems to have a lovely personality.

I think Natalie gets credited with extra bravery compared to the others because she's ordinary looking and carrying a bit of weight. I'm referring more to the women who tend to be judged on their appearance to a greater extent than the men...especially the younger ones (older contestants not so much).

They're all exposing themselves outside their comfort zones...but at least the other women are all going to be admired for their looks in one way or another. Laila, Ali and Zoe are all slim and good-looking actresses; Jade isn't a conventional beauty perhaps but a very impressive physical specimen; Jo is in the 'glamorous granny' category of women who defy the years.

That is something of an understatement!

I think Natalie is getting away with murder because, right from the beginning, she was tagged with the 'poor girl who has the most to prove and is a prime target for unfairness' so she was right in there with the sympathy vote.

Since her ominous start she has, however, managed to alienate a large proportion of the audience through her own OTT behaviour, including winking at camera, professing she is the biggest SCD fan EVAH!, dancing with her mouth open and having no discernible talent but an utter conviction that she has. She also moves like a tanker.

I think the judges are being incredibly kind to her. I have no idea why. Beeb instructions from above? Maybe they know she will never get any better and will have to go soon?

It think they are overcompensating for the John Sergant affair and think she will get more sympathy and they will be seen as cruel if they tell the truth about her performance. But at some point even those that like her will have to acknowledge eventually that she can’t actually dance and is showing little sign of improvement despite all the enthusiasm. Yes her salsa was enthusiastic but it was also not very good. She needs to chanel some of that famous enthusiasm if she wants to stay in once the other duds are gone.

She's not curvy. She's overweight! I really hate it when people say women are curvy when they are simply chubby. Its like its a polite way of saying someone is fat.

Curvy means you have boobs and hips in proportion to your frame and height, and go in and the middle. Think Marilyn Monroe, or Beyonce Knowles or god even Kelly Brook. But Natalie Cassidy is certainly not curvy, she's chunky and looks unhealthy to me.

If they weren't, you can bet your bottom dollar that people would be up in arms;
"They are picking on her because she's a big girl. OMGZZZZ fattist!!!!!!1!!! Let's call OFCOM and complain RIGHT NOW!"

I agree regarding the curvy thing. I think Kristina, Lilia and Ola are all much curvier than Natalie. Curviness is not proportional to your waist size!

Yes, agreed! Beyonce & J-Lo are curvy!

I agree with the curvy/overweight distinction - but I think Natalie looks like she's losing weight on Strictly. Either that or she's bigger in my head than she is in real life, which makes me feel mean...

She is enjoying and loving it so much - I think the judges would feel so guilty when or it if comes down to voting her out !

The likes of Natalie and Tuffers are a real asset to the show.

They have a great attitude and aren't afraid to go out there and give it some welly.

I'll miss them when they leave. The really talented ones this year (Ali and Ricky) just don't seem to have the personality that previous winner had. They are ever so uptight.

I agree that the way the judges speak to her is a bit distasteful. And she does need to improve her steps - however, before that can happen, she needs to learn to walk in a more fluid way - she sort of stomps when she approaches the dance floor and I am a bit put off by that. And she (and RickyG) need to keep their mouths closed!!!

Natalie and Tuffers have the personality card in spades this year and both of them seem to just go out on the floor and give their routines some welly every week.

While they aren't technically the best dancers there - their performances are great fun to watch and their training sessions look like they are having fun too. I'd vote for either of them over Ricky W and Ali every time just because of that aspect of them alone. Ricky is just too good and Natalie L irritates me for some reason, and Ali makes Rachel Stevens look like Miss Personality!

Over-acting, unconvincingly open-mouthed, enthusiasm-exaggerating, irritating, "real woman"-card-playing, ...

I think nearly everyone of my favourite dancers have been insulted in this thread.
Just because Natalie isn't a barbie doll like Zoe, Laila and Ali (Even though I still like them) people seem to make a big deal out of it. She seems to be the only generally nice non bitchy female on the show right now (apart from Jo Wood?) and she's great for the show.

Keep going Natalie!

Talent?!
*DIES OF LAUGHTER*

I quite agree. No point skirting the issue. I'm wondering how Vincent will manage, if they were to end up doing a show dance - or even an American Smooth. I guess she will lose some weight as the competition goes on, though.

Obese is the only adjective i would use.

I'm a very curvy girl, and I can't bear to watch her.

The politest word I can use for her is "deluded".....